Improved snap-hook



une

E. B. FORBUSH AND JOSIAH LETOHWORTH, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS TO PRATT t LETOHWORTH, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVED SNAP-HOOK.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 59,506, dated November 6, 1866.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that we, ELIAKIM B. FoRBUsH and JosrAH LEToHwoRTH, of the city of Buffalo, county of Erie, and State of New York, (assignors to SAMUEL F. PRATT, PASCAL P. PRATT, WLLLIAM P. LnTcHwoRTH, and JosrAn LEToHwoRTH, of the same place,) have invented a new and Improved Snap-Hook; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this speciiication, in which- Figure I is a plan of our improved snaphook. Fig. II is a longitudinal section of the same, and Fig'III is a longitudinal section of the casting as it is formed before the spring is inserted therein.

The nature of this invention relates to making a longitudinal aperture or mortise through the middle portion of a snap-hook to receive, hold, support, and protect its tongue or spring.

A device known by the term snap-hook has come into very general use in the construction of harnesses for horses and for otherl purposes. Various forms of construction have been devised in order to meet the demand for the most perfect adaptation of the article to the service it is required to do. Different degrees of merit may be awarded to those which have already come into use, some having merit for one thing and some for another. None have yet reached the standard of perfection. With a view of approximating more nearly such standard this improvementis submitted.

In order to clearly and fully describe this improved device, we will divide it into four parts, as follows: rst, the main body, or middle portion, lying between the loop and hook, (represented in the drawings at A 5) second, the loop, (represented at A1,) third, the hook, (represented at A2 5) fourth, the spring, (repre sented at B.)

Our improvement Iconsists, mainly, in making alongitudinal mortise through the middle portion, leading from the loop to the hook, and placing, supporting, and protecting the spring therein. This mortise is represented in the drawings at C. It is formed in casting the metal, and is made large and flaring at its open end, contiguous to the hook, in the direction in which the spring works, so as to give sufcient room for the play or vibrations of the spring; and the sides of the mortise are made perpendicular, (or nearly so,) and correspond with the taper form ofthe spring, so that the spring cannot move edgewise, by reason of theperpeudicular and parallel sides of the mortise.

The lower end of the mortise, contiguous to the loop, is made smaller, and is fashioned to receive the base end of the spring, and so that when the spring is placed therein the metal may be pressed down upon the base end of the spring, and clamp and hold the spring firmly.-

Itis preferable to make the spring a little tapering, and widest at its base end, so that it may wedge a little as it is put.`into the mortise, and so that it can enter only so far as to form its proper lap upon the end of the hook.

The spring is inserted into the mortise at the end next to the loop, and enters so far that its endmay be inclosed in the mortise when the metal is closed down upon it. When the spring is put into its place, the metal forming the base end of the mortise is, by a sudden blow or by pressure, closed down upon the spring, and it is thus held perfectly secure at its base end by its close and wedge t in the mortise, and by the compression of the metal upon it; and above itsbase there is sufcient room in the mortise for its full and free play in the direction it is required -to work, and the perpendicular sides of the mortise prevent any lateral or edgewise movements of the spring.

The spring is thus wholly inclosed, except the top end thereof, and is perfectly held and protected in a free working condition.

In casting the hook such proportion is given the metal at the loop end of the mortise that when the spring is inserted and the metal pressed down upon it, it will close over the end of the spring and form a plane, smooth surface.

FFIOE For cheapness of construction, symmetry spring B, When constructed substantially es of form, and perfectness of action, this snapdescribed. hook is believed to be lmore perfect than an'ything of the kind heretofore constructed. l Y J What we claim as our invention, and desire i to secure by Letters Patent, is- Witnesses:

A snap-hook havingalongitudinal mortise, B. H. MUEBLE', ,f C, for receiving, holding, and protectingits CEAS. E. BACON. 

